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Younghoe Koo (right) of the Atlanta Falcons attempts a field goal, while Cameron Nizialek (left) serves as the holder.
A team preparing to kick a field goal through the uprights at left

A field goal (FG) is a means of scoring in gridiron football. To score a field goal, the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar. Consequently, a field goal cannot be scored from a punt, as the ball must touch the ground at one point after the snap and before it is kicked in order to be a valid field goal.[1] The entire ball must pass through the vertical plane of the goal, which is the area above the crossbar and between the uprights or, if above the uprights, between their outside edges.[a] American football requires that a field goal must only come during a play from scrimmage (except in the case of a fair catch kick) while Canadian football retains open field kicks and thus field goals may be scored at any time from anywhere on the field and by any player. The vast majority of field goals, in both codes, are placekicked. Drop-kicked field goals were common in the early days of gridiron football but are almost never attempted in modern times. A field goal may also be scored through a fair catch kick, but this is also extremely rare. In most leagues, a successful field goal awards three points (a notable exception is six-man football in which, due to the small number of players available to stop the opposing team from blocking the kick, a field goal is worth four points).[2]

Since a field goal is worth only three points, as opposed to a touchdown, which is worth six points, it is usually only attempted in specific situations, such as when the offense has reached its final down but has advanced the ball into field goal range, or when there is not enough time left in the half to score a touchdown.

The goal structure consists of a horizontal crossbar suspended 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground, with two vertical goalposts 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart extending vertically from each end of the crossbar.[3] In American football, the goals are centered on each end line; in Canadian football, they are centered on each goal line. In order for a field goal to be scored, or to be "good", the entire ball must pass through the rectangular plane formed by the bottom horizontal crossbar and two vertical uprights formed by the goalpost. If a field goal fails to pass through this plane, it is "no good" and no score is awarded.

If a team scores a field goal, they kickoff to return possession of the ball to the opposing team. If a field goal attempt is unsuccessful, possession of the ball is turned over to the opposing team where the line of scrimmage of the field goal attempt was in the NCAA, or at the spot of the kick, the spot where the placekicker made contact with the ball, in the NFL.

Strategy

[edit]

As a field goal is worth only three points, while a touchdown scores at least six (which usually becomes seven with a successful conversion, and potentially eight with a two-point conversion), teams will generally attempt a field goal only in the following situations:

  • It is last down (third in Canadian football, fourth down in American football), especially if the offense is more than a yard or two from a new first down, and within kicking range of the goalposts (about 45 yards at the professional level).
  • In the first half, if there is only enough time remaining to execute just one more play, regardless of the down.
  • In the waning moments of the second half, if a successful kick will win or tie the game. In this situation, a team may choose to attempt the field goal on an earlier down or if there is still enough time remaining to execute more than one play. If there are problems with the snap or hold, the team would be then able to abort the kick attempt (kneel down, or throw an incomplete pass), and still have at least one down and time remaining to re-attempt the kick.
  • In overtime, if a successful field goal wins and ends the game, a team may choose to attempt a game-winning kick as soon as they get into field goal range (for example, a long pass completion that advances the ball inside the opponent's 20-yard line). In this situation, a team may just decide to try to end the game rather than risk another play that could result in an interception or fumble.

Except in desperate situations, a team will generally attempt field goals only when keeping a drive alive is unlikely, and its kicker has a significant chance of success, as a missed field goal results in a turnover at the spot of the kick (in the NFL) or at the line of scrimmage (in the NCAA). In American high school rules and Canadian football, where a missed field goal is treated the same as a punt, most teams still opt not to attempt field goals from very long range since field goal formations are not conducive to covering kick returns. Even under ideal conditions, the best professional kickers historically had difficulty making kicks longer than 50 yards consistently.[4] If a team chooses not to attempt a field goal on their last down, they can punt to the other team. A punt cannot score any points in American football unless the receiving team touches the ball first and the kicking team recovers it (though it can result in a single in Canadian football), but it may push the other team back toward its own end.

The longest field goal kick in NFL history is 68 yards, a record set by Cam Little on 2 November 2025, which broke the record previously held by Justin Tucker (2021) at 66 yards. The third longest is 64, set by Matt Prater in 2013 with the Denver Broncos. The fourth longest is 63, originally set by Tom Dempsey (1970) and then matched by Jason Elam (1998), Sebastian Janikowski (2011), David Akers (2012), Graham Gano (2018), Brett Maher (2019), and Joey Slye (2024).[5] Cam Little kicked a 70-yard field goal in a preseason game in 2025.[6] The record in the CFL is 63 yards, set by Sergio Castillo on August 9, 2025, tying a 24-year-old record by Paul McCallum, which was believed for years to have been 62 yards, though evidence confirmed McCallum's kick was actually closer to 63 yards. High school, college and most professional football leagues offer only a three-point field goal; however, some professional leagues have encouraged more rare kicks through four-point field goals. NFL Europe encouraged long field goals of 50 yards or more by making those worth four points instead of three (much like Australian rules' Super Goal or basketball's three-point line), a rule since adopted by the Stars Football League. Similarly, the sport of arena football sought (unsuccessfully) to repopularize the drop kick by making that worth four points; it failed since only one kicker (Brian Mitchell) was able to do it with any semblance of proficiency. (In six-man football, all field goals are worth four points instead of the usual three.) The overall field goal percentage during the 2010 NFL season was 82.3%. In comparison, Jan Stenerud, one of only three pure kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (along with fellow placekicker Morten Andersen and punter Ray Guy), had a career field goal percentage of 66.8% from 1967 to 1985.[4]

How field goals are kicked

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Video of a successful field goal try.

When a team decides to attempt a field goal, it will generally line up in a very tight formation, with all but two players lined up along or near the line of scrimmage: the placekicker and the holder. The holder is usually the team's punter or backup quarterback.[citation needed] Instead of the regular center, a team may have a dedicated long snapper trained especially to snap the ball on placekick attempts and punts.

The holder usually lines up seven to eight yards behind the line of scrimmage, with the kicker a few yards behind him. Upon receiving the snap, the holder holds the ball against the ground vertically, with the stitches away from the kicker. The kicker begins his approach during the snap, so the snapper and holder have little margin for error. A split-second mistake can disrupt the entire attempt. Depending on the level of play, the ball, upon reaching the holder, is held up by either the aid of a small rubber "tee" (all ranks up to the high school level, which is not the same as the kickoff tee, but rather a small platform, and comes in either 1- or 2-inch varieties) or is placed on the ground (in college and at the professional level).

Dustin Hopkins of the Washington Redskins attempts a field goal against the Carolina Panthers in 2018

The measurement of a field goal's distance is from the goalpost to the point where the ball was positioned for the kick by the holder. In American football, where the goalpost is located at the back of the end zone (above the end line), the ten yards of the end zone are added to the yard line distance at the spot of the hold.

Until the 1960s, placekickers approached the ball straight on, with the toe making first contact with the ball. The technique of kicking the ball "soccer-style", by approaching the ball at an angle and kicking it with the instep, was introduced by Hungarian-born kicker Pete Gogolak in the 1960s.[7] Reflecting his roots in European soccer, Gogolak observed that kicking the ball at an angle could cover more distance than kicking straight-on; he played college football at Cornell and made his pro debut in 1964 with the Buffalo Bills of the AFL; his younger brother Charlie was also an NFL kicker. The soccer-style kick gained popularity and was nearly universal by the late 1970s; the last full-time straight-on kicker in the NFL was Mark Moseley, who retired in 1986.

Successful field goals

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If there is any time left in the half, the method of resuming play after a successful field goal varies between leagues.

National Football League and most professional leagues and the National Collegiate Athletic Association
The scored-against team receives a kickoff.[8][9]
National Federation of High Schools
The scored-against team can choose to either receive a kickoff or kick off themselves. (In practice, almost all choose to receive.)
Canadian Football League
The scored-against team may elect to either kick off from their 30-yard line, receive a kickoff from the opponents' 30-yard line, or scrimmage from their own 40-yard line. In the last three minutes of the fourth quarter, the scoring team kicks off from their 30-yard line.[10] The option of scrimmaging (no kickoff), first instituted in 1975, was eliminated in 2009, but the change proved unpopular and was reinstated the following season.
Football Canada
The scored-against team may elect to either kick off from their 35-yard line, receive a kickoff from the opponent's 45-yard line, or scrimmage from their own 35-yard line.[11]

Missed field goals

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A missed field goal is said to be "no good" if the kicked ball does not cross between the uprights and over the crossbar of the goal posts. If it misses to the side of the uprights, it may be called "wide left" or "wide right". A field goal attempt may be described as "short" if it does not have sufficient distance to go over the cross bar. Some commentators will only describe a field goal attempt as being short if it appears to have been aimed correctly while others will describe an attempt appearing to lack both accuracy and distance as being both wide and short.

If a field goal attempt is missed, and the ball does not go out of bounds and has not been ruled dead by a referee, then a defensive player may advance the ball, as with a punt or kickoff. This type of play usually occurs either during an extremely long field goal attempt or if the attempt is blocked. If there is a significant likelihood of a miss and the strategic game situation warrants it, the defense places a player downfield, in or near their end zone, to catch the ball. The risk in this is that the return man may be tackled deep in his own territory, at a considerably worse position than he could have gotten by letting the ball go dead (see below); furthermore, should the returner fumble the ball, the kicking team can recover it and gain a new set of downs (the advantage is that the kicking team is lined up very close together to stop kick blockers, and not spread across the field like a kickoff or punt team, and is therefore in poor position to defend the return). Thus, teams will usually return a kick only towards the end of a half (when the kick will be the final play) or in a particularly desperate situation.

If a ball caroms off one of the goal posts or the crossbar but lands in the field of play, the ball is considered dead and cannot be returned. (This is not the case in arena football, where large "rebound nets" surround the goal posts for the explicit purpose of keeping the ball in play.) However, if the ball continues into the goal after caroming, the score counts. If the ball re-enters the field of play after crossing the vertical plane of the goal, the score also counts; this is now known as the "Phil Dawson rule" after the eponymous player scored a game-tying field goal that rebounded off the back support of the goal and back into the field of play.

Situations where the defense does not return a missed field goal vary between leagues and levels of play:

National Football League
Missed field goals attempted from the defending team's 20-yard line or closer result in the defense taking possession at their 20-yard line. Missed field goals attempted from behind the 20-yard line result in the opposing team taking possession at the spot of the kick. (From 1974–1993, the opposing team would take possession at the line of scrimmage, unless the kick was attempted from inside the 20-yard line, in which case the opposing team would take possession at the 20-yard line. Prior to 1974, a missed field goal was treated the same as a punt, and the kicking team could down the ball in the field of play if it did not cross the goal line; if the unsuccessful attempt crossed the goal line, it was a touchback, unless the defense ran the ball out of the end zone, which did not become legal until 1971.)
NCAA
The opposing team takes possession at the line of scrimmage rather than at the spot of the kick. If the line of scrimmage is inside the 20-yard line, the opposing team takes possession at the 20.[citation needed]
High school
Under NFHS (high school) rules (except Texas, which plays largely by NCAA rules), a field goal attempt is no different from any other scrimmage kick (e.g. punt or drop kick). If the field goal attempt is no good and enters the end zone it is a touchback (NFHS rules do not allow a scrimmage kick or free kick to be advanced if it crosses the goal line). If the ball becomes dead on the field the defensive team will next put the ball in play from that point. If a field goal is blocked behind the line of scrimmage either team may pick it up and return it (see below).
Canadian football
If the defense does not return a missed field goal out of the end zone, or if a missed field goal attempt goes out the back of end zone, then the kicking team scores a single point. This sometimes results in the team on defense stationing their punter behind the goal posts to punt the ball out of the end zone, in case of a missed field-goal attempt, to preserve a victory or tie. Also, a missed field goal may be played by any onside player on the kicking team (onside players being the kicker and anyone behind him at the time of the kick). It is risky to have anyone positioned behind the kicker when the ball is being kicked since those players would be unable to help prevent the defending players from blocking the kick; however, on occasion teams might intentionally miss a field goal in hope of recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Returning a missed field goal is much more likely in Canadian football than in American rules for a few reasons. First, since the goal posts are on the goal line in front of a 20-yard end zone (rather than at the back of a 10-yard end zone), a missed field goal is much less likely to go out of bounds while in the air. Also, not returning the ball out of the end zone results in the defense conceding a single point, which may be crucial in a close game. Moreover, the wider field of the Canadian game makes the average return longer (in terms of yardage). However, many Canadian football coaches judge that conceding a single and taking possession at the 35-yard line is preferable to returning a missed field goal and avoiding a single at the cost of poor field position.

Blocked field goals

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The Fresno State Bulldogs block a Texas A&M field goal attempt.

Occasionally, the defense will succeed in blocking a field goal. If the ball falls in or behind the neutral zone, it is treated like a fumble and can be advanced by either team. If the ball instead falls forward beyond the neutral zone, it is treated like a missed field goal under the rules explained above.

History

[edit]

In the early days of football, kicking was emphasized. In 1883, the scoring system was devised with field goals counting for five points, touchdowns two points, and conversions four points.[12] In the following year touchdowns doubled in value to four, and rose to five in 1898. Meanwhile, the value of a conversion fell to two points in 1884 and one point in 1898.[12] (In 1958, the NCAA created the two-point conversion for conversions scored via run or pass; the NFL followed suit in 1994.) Field goals were devalued to four points in 1904, and then to the modern three points in 1909. The touchdown was changed to six points in 1912 in American football; the Canadian game followed suit in 1956.

The spot of the conversion has also changed through the years. In 1924, NCAA rules spotted the conversion at the 3-yard line, before moving it back to the 5-yard line in 1925. In 1929, the spot was moved up to the 2-yard line, matching the NFL. In 1968, the NCAA diverged from the NFL rules and moved the spot back to the original 3-yard line. Canadian rules originally spotted the conversion at the 5-yard line, which remains closer than in the American code (for kicked conversions) as the goalposts are at the front of the end zone.

In 2015, to make conversion kicks harder, the NFL and CFL moved the line of scrimmage for conversion kicks to the 15- and 25-yard lines, respectively. (The CFL also moved the spot for two-point conversion attempts to the 3-yard line, while then NFL remained at the 2-yard line.)

The goalposts were originally located on the goal line; this led to many injuries and sometimes interfered with play. The NCAA moved the goal posts to the rear of the end zone in 1927. The NFL (still following NCAA rules at the time) followed suit, but moved the posts back to the goal line starting in the 1932 NFL Playoff Game, a change made necessary by the size of the indoor Chicago Stadium and kept when the NFL rules stopped mirroring the NCAA rules in 1933. The NFL kept the goal posts at the goal line until 1974, when they were moved back to the rear of the end zone, where they have remained since. This was partly a result of the narrowed hashmark distance made in 1972 (making them the same width as the goalposts), which had made for easier field-goal angles. The Canadian game still has posts on the goal line.

The width of the goalposts and the hashmarks have also varied throughout the years. In 1959, the NCAA goalposts were widened to 23 feet 4 inches (7.11 m), the standard width for high school posts today. In 1991, the college goalposts were reduced in width to 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m), matching the NFL. For the 1991 and 1992 seasons, this meant potentially severe angles for short field goal attempts, since the hashmark width remained at 53 ft 4 in (16.26 m). In 1993, the NCAA narrowed the distance between the hashmarks to 40 ft (12.19 m), matching the width of hashmarks in the NFL from 1945 through 1971; as mentioned above, the NFL narrowed the hashmarks in 1972 to goalpost width at 18.5 feet (5.64 m). Canadian hash marks in amateur play are 51 feet (16 m) apart, 24 yards from each sideline. The Canadian Football League formerly used this spacing, but narrowed the hash mark spacing to 9 yards (8.2 m) in 2022.[13] The Canadian field is 195 feet (59 m) in width, 35 feet (11 m) wider than the American field.

The NFL increased the height of the uprights above the crossbar to 20 feet (6.10 m) in 1966 and 30 feet (9.14 m) in 1974. In 2014, they were raised five feet to 35 feet (10.67 m) after the adoption of a proposal by New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.[14]

The "slingshot" goalpost, having a single post curving 90° up from the ground to support the crossbar, was invented by Jim Trimble and Joel Rottman in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[15] The first ones were built by Alcan and displayed at the Expo 67[15][16] world's fair in Montreal. The NFL had standardized its goalposts in 1966 and adopted the slingshot for the 1967 season.[15] The NCAA subsequently adopted the same rule, but later allowed the use of "offset" goalposts with the older two-post base. The CFL was the first league to use the slingshot goalposts. They debuted in the 2nd game of the CFL's Eastern Conference final in 1966 at Montreal's Autostade because Landsdowne Park (now TD Place Stadium), the home of Ottawa Rough Riders, was undergoing renovations. They were also used in the Grey Cup the next week at Vancouver's Empire Stadium. Three schools in Division I FBS currently use dual-support posts: Florida State, LSU, and Washington State. A special exemption was allowed by the NFL for the New Orleans Saints to use the offset goalposts during the 2005 season, when they used LSU's stadium for home games after Hurricane Katrina.

Goalposts at the professional level today are sometimes equipped with a video camera mounted to the stanchion immediately behind the center of the crossbar. Since these cameras are both above and slightly behind the crossbar, a field goal attempt will be judged good if it strikes this equipment.

A small plastic tee, which can be 1 to 2 inches (25–51 mm) high (smaller than the kickoff tee), may be used for field goals and extra points in some leagues, including US high schools and Canadian amateur play. The NFL (and most other professional leagues) has never allowed the use of tees for field goal kick attempts, having always required kickers to kick off the ground for such attempts (and for extra points; a rare exception for a U.S.-based pro league to allow the usage of such tees for such attempts was the original USFL in the 1980s).[17][18] In 1948, the NCAA authorized the use of the small rubberized kicking tee for extra points and field goals, but banned them by 1989, requiring kicks from the ground, as in the NFL.[19][20] The CFL allows the use of a tee for field goals and convert kicks, but it is optional.[21]

During the 2011 NFL season, a record 90 field goals of 50 yards or longer were made.[22] In 2012, this record was raised to 92 field goals of 50 yards or longer.[22]

Longest field goal records

[edit]

The longest recorded field goal successfully kicked at any level was 70 yards. It was kicked by Cam Little of the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 9, 2025.[23]

NFL

[edit]
Main article: List of longest NFL field goals

Note: the NFL does not count preseason games as part of its official records, and thus Little's aforementioned 70-yard kick is not counted as the NFL record despite being the overall record.[24]

CFL

[edit]

Professional spring football

[edit]

College football

[edit]

The following kicks were successful with the use of a kicking tee, which was banned by the NCAA after the 1988 season. Additionally, prior to 1991, the goal posts were 23 feet, 4 inches. They were narrowed to 18 feet, 6 inches in 1991.[28]

Division Distance Kicker Team Opponent Date Notes
NAIA 69 yards Ove Johansson Abilene Christian East Texas State October 16, 1976 Overall field goal record with the use of a tee[29]
Division I FBS 67 yards Russell Erxleben Texas Rice 1977
67 yards Steve Little Arkansas Texas [30]
Division II 67 yards Tom Odle Fort Hays St Washburn November 5, 1988
Division I FCS 63 yards Scott Roper Arkansas State North Texas 1987
Division III 62 yards Dom Antonini Rowan Salisbury September 18, 1976

After the 1988 season, the use of a kicking tee was banned. The following kicks were successful without the use of a tee.

Division Distance Kicker Team Opponent Date Notes
Division I FBS 65 yards Martin Gramática Kansas State Northern Illinois September 12, 1998 Overall NCAA field goal record without the use of a tee; also the longest field goal since the NCAA narrowed the goalposts in 1991[28]
Division II 64 yards Garrett Lindholm Tarleton State Texas A&M–Kingsville November 14, 2009 The 64-yard field goal was made as time expired forcing overtime. Tarleton State went on to win the playoff game[31]
Division I FCS 63 yards Bill Gramática South Florida Austin Peay November 18, 2000
Division I FBS 63 yards Kyle Konrardy Iowa State South Dakota August 30, 2025
Division III 62 yards Matthew Aven Claremont Cal Lutheran October 19, 2013
NAIA 62 yards Derek Doerfler Baker William Jewell October 8, 2007

The longest known drop-kicked field goal in college football was a 62-yard kick from Pat O'Dea, an Australian kicker who played for Wisconsin. O'Dea's kick took place in a blizzard against Northwestern on November 15, 1898.[32]

U Sports

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The longest field goal in U Sports football history is 59 yards by Niko Difonte of Calgary Dinos playing against the UBC Thunderbirds on November 11, 2017. The field goal was the final and winning play of the 81st Hardy Cup.[33][34]

High school

[edit]

Independent amateur

[edit]

Independent Women's Football League

[edit]

Longest missed field goal return records

[edit]

NFL

[edit]
Main article: List of longest NFL field goals § Longest missed field goal return records

CFL

[edit]

Because the goalposts in Canadian football are on the goal line, and because downing the ball in the end zone results in the kicking team scoring a single point, field goal returns are much more common. The longest missed field goal return in the CFL is 131 total yards. Against the Montreal Alouettes on August 22, 1958, the Toronto Argonauts' Boyd Carter ran 15 yards, then threw a lateral to Dave Mann, who then returned it for the final 116 yards.[39] This return, which started 21 yards behind the goal line, was during the era of 25-yard end zones (which made the maximum theoretical missed field return distance 134 yards in those days) and therefore cannot be met or exceeded on the modern field with 20-yard end zones. Since the shortening of the end zones in the CFL in 1986, a field goal has been returned for the maximum 129 yards on four occasions: by Bashir Levingston of the Toronto Argonauts on June 28, 2007,[40] by Dominique Dorsey also of the Toronto Argonauts on August 2, 2007,[41] by Tristan Jackson of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on July 14, 2012,[42] and by Trent Guy of the Montreal Alouettes on September 23, 2012.[43]

NCAA

[edit]

In NCAA college football, only five missed field goals returns for touchdowns have ever been returned 100 yards or more:[44]

U Sports

[edit]

In U Sports football, like in the CFL, the longest possible missed field goal return is 129 yards, and this has occurred three times.[34]

See also

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Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Field goal

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A field goal in is a scoring play worth three points, achieved when the offensive team kicks the ball from the field of play through the vertical plane of the opponent's goalposts above the crossbar and between the uprights, using either a or a . The kick must originate from on or behind the or from the spot of a , and the ball must not touch the ground or any offensive player before passing through the goal. Field goals are typically attempted on fourth down when a is positioned close enough to the end zone to make the kick feasible, often within 50 yards, serving as a conservative alternative to going for a first down or turning the ball over on downs. Performed by specialist placekickers who use a for placement and receive blocking from teammates known as the "protection unit," successful field goals require precise technique, including a holder to position the ball and a snap from the to initiate the play. In professional leagues like the , field goals play a crucial role in close games, influencing strategies such as two-minute drills and end-of-half decisions. The field goal has been a fundamental element of American football since the sport's early days in the late 19th century, initially executed primarily via drop kicks before the place kick became dominant in the early 20th century due to advancements in equipment and technique. Rule changes have shaped its prominence: in 1933, the NFL moved goalposts from the end line to the goal line to facilitate longer kicks and reduce ties, only to relocate them back to the end line in 1974 to discourage excessive field goal attempts and promote touchdowns. Modern innovations, including square-toed kicking shoes phased out in the 1980s and improved synthetic footballs, have extended ranges; the NFL record for the longest field goal is 68 yards, set by Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little on November 2, 2025. Career leaders in field goals made include Adam Vinatieri with 599, underscoring the position's evolution into a high-precision specialty.

Definition and Rules

Basic Definition

In American and , a field goal is a scoring play in which the ball is kicked through the plane of the opponent's goalposts from the field of play during a down from scrimmage. This method of scoring awards three points to the kicking team and differs from a , which is worth six points and involves advancing the ball into the end zone, an extra point attempt worth one point following a touchdown, and a punt, which is a defensive kick intended to advance the ball without scoring. The goalposts consist of two vertical uprights connected by a horizontal crossbar and are positioned on the end line, forming the boundary of the end zone. In the , for example, the uprights extend 35 feet above the crossbar, which is elevated 10 feet from the ground, providing a defined target for the kick. A less common variant of the field goal is the , which permits the receiving team an uncontested attempt after signaling for a on an opponent's punt, without requiring a scrimmage; if successful, it counts as a standard . A successful field goal is worth three points in , awarded when the entire ball passes through the vertical plane of the goal—defined as the area above the crossbar and between the uprights, or if above the uprights, between their outside extensions—without first touching the ground or any offensive player after the kick. In the (NFL), the goalposts feature uprights that are 18 feet 6 inches apart inside measurement, with the crossbar positioned 10 feet above the ground; the uprights extend an additional 35 feet above the crossbar and measure between 3 and 4 inches in diameter, topped by an orange ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches. under (NCAA) rules uses identical dimensions for the uprights (18 feet 6 inches apart) and crossbar height (10 feet). , governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), widens the uprights to 23 feet 4 inches apart inside measurement while maintaining the 10-foot crossbar height. Field goal attempts must originate from behind the line of scrimmage during a scrimmage down, executed as a placekick or drop kick; the sole exception is the fair catch kick, a free kick allowed from the spot of a fair catch without defensive rush, which can score three points if successful. After the kick, the ball must not touch the ground or any offensive player before entering the goal plane to count as a score. Upon a successful field goal, the game clock stops immediately when the ball crosses the goal plane, with the clock remaining stopped until the subsequent snap in standard situations; in the final two minutes of either half, this stoppage aligns with two-minute clock rules, preventing the clock from restarting until the next play begins, thereby preserving time for the non-scoring team. Violations of procedural rules during a field goal attempt result in penalties, such as the five-yard loss and replay of the down for illegal participation (e.g., too many men on the field), which occurs if 12 or more players from one team are on the field at the snap. Other illegal procedures, like an invalid snap or offside alignment, also incur a five-yard penalty and loss of down, nullifying the attempt if it affects the play.

Execution

Kicking Technique

The kicking technique for a field goal involves a precise sequence of movements designed to generate power, accuracy, and the necessary to clear the uprights. The kicker typically begins with a measured approach run, taking three steps backward from the 's placement point and then two lateral steps to the side, aligning the body for a straight path toward the target. This approach, often a four-step sequence (left-right-left-right for a right-footed kicker), allows the kicker to build momentum while maintaining balance. The plant foot is then positioned firmly next to the , about 6 to 8 inches to the side, toward the target to stabilize the body and facilitate hip rotation. Finally, the kicking swings through with the foot striking the 's lower half using the instep or laces, aiming for a contact point approximately 4 inches above the 's tip to impart upward lift and forward drive. Two primary styles of field goal kicking have evolved historically: the straight-on technique, which uses the toes or laces directly facing the ball, and the soccer-style technique, which employs the side of the foot (instep) at an angle. The straight-on method, dominant in early , involved a head-on approach and toe contact for a more linear strike but offered limited power and a smaller margin for error due to the narrow contact surface. In contrast, the soccer-style kick, introduced to the by Hungarian immigrant in 1964, angles the body and uses the instep for a broader contact area, enabling greater hip rotation, foot speed, and for enhanced distance and control. This style became dominant by the late and , revolutionizing the position as field goal success rates improved from under 60 percent in the early to around 80 percent today, largely attributed to its biomechanical advantages. Several factors influence the distance and accuracy of a field goal kick, including ball rotation, environmental conditions, and surface variables. Kickers typically impart an end-over-end rotation to the ball, which minimizes aerodynamic drag compared to a spiral and promotes a more stable, predictable trajectory by reducing wobble and allowing the ball to "tumble" through the air efficiently. and speed can deflect the ball laterally or reduce carry, with crosswinds posing the greatest challenge to alignment; and altitude also play roles, as colder air increases and drag while higher elevations decrease it, potentially extending range. Field conditions, such as grass length, moisture, or turf type, affect ball placement and footing stability, further impacting the launch angle and velocity essential for success. Training for field goal kicking emphasizes repetition, progression, and physical conditioning to refine technique under varying conditions. Kickers often start with elevated (1 to 2 inches high) for shorter distances, gradually lowering the tee height and increasing range to simulate scenarios, building confidence from 20-yard attempts up to 50 yards or more. Drills incorporate tracking makes and misses to set session goals, typically aiming for 100 to 300 kicks per week across multiple sessions, focusing on consistency in approach and contact. , including squats and resistance exercises like pushing blocking sleds, develops explosive lower-body power to enhance kick . The holder's role in precisely placing the laces away aids alignment during these sessions. The evolution of has paralleled the shift in kicking styles, optimizing contact and . Early straight-on kickers used square-toed cleats or modified shoes to maximize surface area for direct strikes, a common through the mid-20th century that provided stability but limited flexibility. With the rise of soccer-style kicking, modern pointed-toe cleats became standard, offering better instep alignment, pivoting for the angled approach, and overall mobility, contributing to the technique's widespread adoption and improved outcomes.

Team Setup and Roles

In , the field goal unit operates as a coordinated special teams group, with each player fulfilling a precise role to facilitate a successful attempt from scrimmage. The unit typically includes the long snapper, holder, kicker, and a protection contingent, aligning in a formation designed to protect the kick while ensuring a smooth snap-to-kick sequence. This setup prioritizes speed and precision, as the entire operation often unfolds in under two seconds to counter defensive pressure. The serves as the center of the unit, positioned approximately 7 to 8 yards behind the for field goal attempts. This player must deliver a firm, accurate snap directly to the holder in a low, spiraling , typically between the holder's legs, to allow immediate ball placement while minimizing interception risks by the defense. Long snappers are specialized athletes trained for this short-distance hike, distinct from standard centers due to the emphasis on and consistency under duress. The holder, often the team's punter serving dual roles, positions 7 to 8 yards behind the snapper and catches the incoming ball cleanly. Upon securing the snap, the holder swiftly places it on the ground, with the laces oriented away from the kicker for optimal contact, and may adjust the angle based on the kicker's preferred striking method. The holder also signals the kicker with a verbal or visual cue once positioned, and remains vigilant for time-sensitive situations, such as calling a timeout if the play clock nears expiration. Forming the frontline defense against blockers, the protection unit consists of 7 to 9 linemen—typically drawn from offensive line reserves or special teams specialists—who align tightly on the . These players create a compact wall, often in a traditional "wings" formation with the snapper in the middle and blockers fanning out to cover gaps, using techniques like inside-foot overlaps to seal off rush lanes and prevent defensive penetration. Their primary objective is to absorb and redirect the opposing team's 10 or fewer rushers (limited by rules), buying the 1.2 to 1.5 seconds needed for the kick. While the standard scrimmage formation remains consistent across scenarios, teams make minor adjustments for indoor versus outdoor venues and surface types. In indoor stadiums, which often feature , the protection unit and holder may opt for turf-specific cleats to enhance traction and stability, as synthetic surfaces provide less natural grip than outdoor natural grass fields. Outdoor grass setups occasionally require the holder to account for minor variances from uneven , though the core alignment and snap distance stay uniform. These adaptations ensure reliability without altering the fundamental roles.

Strategy and Decision-Making

Situational Factors

In end-of-half or end-of-game scenarios, teams frequently attempt field goals to secure leads, tie the score, or force when time is limited and a is unlikely. For instance, coaches prioritize field goal tries in the final seconds to add three points without risking a turnover, as seen in practices emphasizing these high-stakes moments where a successful can determine the outcome. Field position plays a critical role in deciding whether to attempt a field goal, with teams typically considering kicks from within 50 yards of the goal line due to high success rates in that range. In the , field goals under 50 yards succeed at rates around 85-90%, making them a reliable option when the offense advances to the opponent's 33-yard line or closer, whereas longer attempts drop to about 70-75% success. Adverse weather conditions, such as and , significantly influence field goal decisions by reducing accuracy and prompting more conservative strategies. Strong winds exceeding 20 mph can lower field goal percentages to approximately 77%, while affects ball grip and , often leading teams to avoid attempts beyond medium range or opt for punts instead. On fourth down, the choice between attempting a field goal, punting, or going for a first down hinges on distance to the goal line, with favoring field goals when the is within 40-45 yards of the end zone to maximize expected points. For example, from the opponent's 35-yard line (a 52-yard attempt), punting may be preferred over a longer kick, but closer positions tilt toward the field goal to secure points rather than risk failure on a conversion try. Historical trends show a marked increase in field goal attempts since the , driven by advancements in kicker and that have boosted overall accuracy from about 74% in 1990 to over 85% in recent seasons. This improvement has particularly elevated long-range success, with 50-plus-yard attempts rising from roughly one every three games in the to a near-weekly occurrence today, encouraging more aggressive usage in various situations.

Risk Assessment

In the (), field goal success rates vary significantly by distance, influencing the risk calculus for coaches. For attempts from 39 yards or shorter during the 2024 season, kickers converted 98% of tries, reflecting high reliability for shorter kicks. Longer attempts, however, carry greater uncertainty; from 50 yards or beyond, the success rate was nearly 70% in 2024, down from historical averages but still elevated due to improved kicking techniques. Overall, the league-wide field goal make percentage stood at just over 85% for the season, with average attempt distances reaching 40 yards. Deciding between a field goal attempt and going for it on fourth down involves weighing potential rewards against the risk of losing possession. Analytics models indicate that field goals provide a secure three points with minimal turnover risk, but failure results in no gain and a change of possession at midfield or closer. In contrast, attempting a fourth-down conversion offers the chance to sustain a drive and potentially score more, yet a stop by the defense hands the opponent favorable field position, often leading to their scoring opportunity. Studies show that while field goals are preferable in high-risk, short-yardage situations near the end zone, going for it becomes optimal beyond certain distances, such as fourth-and-5 from the opponent's 40-yard line, where favors aggression. Coaching philosophies on field goal attempts range from conservative to aggressive, shaped by game context like score margins and time remaining. Conservative approaches prioritize securing points in close games or late scenarios, avoiding the downside of a miss that could tie or lose the lead; for instance, teams trailing by fewer than seven points late in the fourth quarter often opt for field goals over riskier plays. Aggressive coaches, however, push boundaries in high-leverage spots, such as attempting long field goals to extend leads or going for it to seize momentum, particularly when trailing by more than a . Research indicates that while coaches have grown more aggressive since the early , they remain more conservative than win-probability models recommend, influenced by factors like opponent strength and . Statistical models, particularly those using expected points added (EPA), guide these decisions by quantifying trade-offs. EPA measures the average change in scoring potential from a given situation; for example, a 40-yard field goal attempt yields an EPA of about 2.5 points if successful, but drops to -1.5 on a miss due to lost field position. Models from sources like and NFL Next Gen Stats compare this to fourth-down plays, where a successful conversion might add 3-4 EPA by extending drives, but failure subtracts 2-3 EPA from turnover risks. These tools have increased fourth-down attempts league-wide, yet field goals remain the default in 70-80% of eligible situations under 40 yards. Recent rule changes in 2025, particularly the expanded use of "K-balls"—specialized kicking footballs provided in greater quantities (60 per team) for preseason break-in—have boosted long-range confidence. This adjustment, aimed at standardizing equipment, effectively adds 5-7 yards to kick distances by allowing better preparation, reducing the perceived risk of attempts from 50+ yards. As a result, long field goal tries have surged without a corresponding drop in success rates, altering strategic trade-offs in favor of more aggressive kicking.

Outcomes

Successful Field Goals

A successful field goal awards three points to the kicking team when the ball, kicked as a or , passes above the crossbar and between the goal posts in flight. Following the score, possession changes as the scoring team executes a kickoff from their own 35-yard line, allowing the opposing team to receive the ball and begin their drive from wherever the kickoff return ends. The game clock stops immediately when the ball crosses the goal line through the uprights, remaining stopped during the brief period for officials to confirm the score and prepare the kickoff. It then restarts on the ensuing kickoff once the ball is legally kicked and either touched in flight by a receiver or hits the ground. Post-score celebrations by the kicking team are permitted but subject to restrictions under rules; excessive, prolonged, or choreographed actions—such as using the goal posts as props or engaging in —result in a 15-yard penalty on the kickoff and potential fines up to $14,491 for a first offense. These penalties aim to maintain while allowing brief team acknowledgments. In overtime periods, carry significant implications, particularly in the sudden-death phase. For regular-season games, after each team has had one possession (unless the first ends in a ), any subsequent score—including a field goal—ends the game immediately, awarding victory to the scoring team. Postseason overtime follows a similar but extends indefinitely until a score occurs. A rare variant of successful field goals occurs via the , also known as a , which the receiving team may attempt immediately after signaling for and securing a on a punt within . If made, it awards three points like a standard field goal, but procedural differences include no snap required—the ball is held or placed at the spot of the catch—and the defense must line up at least 10 yards away until the , with no tee permitted for place kicks (though drop kicks are allowed). The most recent successful fair catch kick was executed by the on December 19, 2024, from 57 yards, marking the first successful fair catch kick since 1976 and only the fifth in history since 1941. After success, the scoring team proceeds to a standard kickoff, mirroring regular field goal outcomes.

Missed Field Goals

When a field goal attempt fails to pass between the uprights and above the crossbar, no points are awarded to the kicking team. Missed field goals are categorized by their trajectory: wide misses veer to the left or right of the posts, while short misses either strike the crossbar and rebound without crossing the plane or fall short of the entirely. Under rules, a missed field goal is treated similarly to an unsuccessful punt for purposes, with the ball remaining live until it becomes dead by rule. If the ball is untouched by the defense and goes or into the end zone, it results in a , and the defending team gains possession at their 20-yard line. Otherwise, if the ball remains in play untouched, the defending team takes possession at the spot of the kick (the ), unless that spot is inside their 20-yard line, in which case possession begins at the 20. The defending team has the opportunity to return a missed field goal if they secure possession of the live ball, potentially advancing it for significant yardage, though such returns are rare and governed by general scrimmage kick rules. Psychologically, a missed field goal can disrupt the kicking team's , fostering frustration and defensive confidence, but empirical studies indicate that the overall impact on subsequent performance is often overstated due to the frequency of such events (occurring in nearly 20% of attempts). Statistically, teams experiencing multiple missed field goals in a season correlate with lower win percentages, as each miss forfeits potential points that could decide close contests.

Blocked Field Goals

A blocked field goal in occurs when a defensive player deflects the ball immediately after the kicker makes contact, preventing it from traveling toward the posts. This defensive play requires precise timing, as rushers must navigate the offensive line's protection to reach the kick trajectory. Common methods include interior linemen or edge rushers pushing through gaps in the line or leaping over blockers to swat the ball, often targeting a narrow "block zone" near the kicker's foot. Key defensive players in these efforts are typically athletic edge rushers, who use speed to loop around the end, and powerful interior linemen, who explode upward from a low stance to disrupt the kick path. The success hinges on the rushers' ability to read the snap and kicker's motion, leaping at the exact moment the ball leaves the foot to avoid illegal contact penalties. Teams often employ specialized block packages, assigning specific gaps to players for coordinated pressure. Upon a successful block, the ball becomes a live loose ball that either team can recover and advance, similar to a fumbled punt, provided it remains behind the line of scrimmage. If the ball crosses the line untouched before the block, the kicking team cannot advance a recovery. Should the offensive (kicking) team recover the deflected ball in their own end zone and be tackled there, it results in a safety, awarding 2 points to the defense. In professional leagues like the , blocked field goals occur at a rate of approximately 1-2% of attempts, with higher incidences on longer kicks over 50 yards due to slower ball speed and wider block windows. Notable examples include the Washington Redskins' block of kicker Garo Yepremian's 42-yard attempt in ; after the block, Yepremian picked up the loose ball and attempted a pass, which slipped from his hands and was intercepted by Washington cornerback Mike Bass, who returned it 49 yards for a , sparking a 14-point run that shifted momentum in a 14-7 victory. Such plays often prove pivotal, turning potential scores into defensive opportunities and altering game dynamics.

History

Early Development

The field goal emerged in the late as evolved from rugby-influenced rules, where kicking between upright goalposts during play from scrimmage became a key scoring method. The sport's early contests, starting with the first intercollegiate game in 1869 between Rutgers and Princeton, primarily emphasized touchdowns and conversions, but field goals gained prominence by the 1880s as a strategic alternative to pushing for touchdowns in close games. The first recorded field goal in occurred on November 30, 1882, during a matchup between Princeton and Yale at the , when Princeton's J. T. Haxall successfully placekicked a 65-yard effort, setting an early benchmark for distance despite the loss. This kick highlighted the field's open nature and the rounder, rugby-style ball used at the time, which favored drop-kicks over modern placekicks. Early scoring values for field goals varied under the Intercollegiate Football Association's rules, reflecting debates over balancing kicking with running plays. From 1883 onward, a field goal was worth 5 points, outvaluing a touchdown (2 points) but often compared to a touchdown plus conversion (6 points total), which encouraged teams to prioritize long-range kicks in an era of fields measuring about 110 yards (330 feet) long. This system persisted until 1898, when the touchdown's value rose to 5 points, matching the field goal and beginning to shift emphasis toward advancing the ball; the field goal then dropped to 4 points in 1904 amid efforts to elevate touchdowns, before standardization at 3 points in 1909 to further incentivize advancing the ball. Walter Camp, often called the father of American football, played a pivotal role in these changes; as a Yale player and rules committee member, he advocated for the 1883 point system that formalized field goals' importance, arguing it rewarded precision and strategy over brute force in rugby's chaotic scrums. Drop-kicking dominated early field goal attempts, as players dropped the prolate spheroid ball to the ground and struck it on the bounce for better control with the era's less aerodynamic equipment. This technique, inherited from rugby, was the norm through the 1890s, with kickers like Haxall occasionally experimenting with placement but facing inconsistent results due to uneven turf and no specialized holders. Straight-on placekicking, where the ball is held upright for a stationary kick, began transitioning in the early 1900s, pioneered by teams like Princeton in 1897, which adopted a holder-assisted method to improve accuracy and distance as the ball's shape became more pointed. By the , placekicking edged out drop-kicks for reliability, though the latter persisted in professional play into the 1940s. The field goal's adoption in professional football mirrored college trends, entering the newly formed American Professional Football Association (predecessor to the ) in . Field goals were part of professional play from the start; the first in league history was a 25-yard by Frank Ursella for the Rock Island Independents on September 26, , against the St. Paul Ideals. , playing for the , also used drop-kicks effectively that season, underscoring kicking's viability in the pro ranks despite the era's emphasis on running and tackling. Thorpe, a multisport legend and the league's first president, exemplified the versatile athlete-kicker.

Rule Changes and Evolution

The evolution of field goal rules in has been shaped by efforts to balance offensive strategy, player safety, and game flow, with several key modifications to goalpost placement and dimensions over the decades. In the late , following football's lead, the initially positioned goalposts at the back of the end zone (the end line) starting around 1927, a shift from their prior location on the goal line; this change aimed to reduce collisions during goal-line stands but inadvertently extended field goal distances by 10 yards, making attempts more challenging. However, when the established its own rulebook in 1933, it relocated the goalposts forward to the goal line, which spurred a surge in field goal attempts as the effective kicking distance shortened, contributing to a dramatic increase from 6 field goals league-wide in 1932 to 61 in 1934. This positioning remained until 1974, when the again moved the goalposts to the end line to discourage excessive reliance on field goals and promote scoring, a response to the high volume of kicking plays in prior seasons; simultaneously, the uprights were extended from 20 feet above the crossbar (set in ) to 30 feet for better visibility from the sidelines and stands. The 1974 adjustment reduced field goal success rates initially, with kickers making about 15% fewer points from kicks that year compared to 1973, though accuracy rebounded as techniques advanced. Later safety enhancements included adding to the uprights and stanchions in the 1980s, following incidents of player injuries during celebrations or collisions, to mitigate risks without altering gameplay dimensions. Hash mark adjustments in the further influenced field goal angles and setup. Prior to 1972, hash marks were positioned approximately 20 yards from the sidelines, creating uneven kicking angles that favored attempts from one side of the field; moved them to about 23.5 yards from the sidelines (18 feet 6 inches apart, aligning with goalpost width) to facilitate balanced offensive plays and more symmetrical field goal approaches, which improved overall kicking consistency. The introduction of soccer-style kicking marked a pivotal non-rule evolution in 1964, when joined the AFL's as the first professional to employ the instep technique borrowed from soccer, allowing for greater distance and accuracy compared to the traditional toe-poke method; his success, including a league-leading 102 points that season, prompted widespread adoption and extended practical field goal ranges from around 40 yards to over 50 yards reliably. More recently, the 2025 season introduced K-ball provisions under new equipment rules, allocating 60 break-in balls per team at the season's start to better condition kicking balls for consistency; this has led to noticeably longer field goal attempts, with kickers making 73.7% of 50-plus yard tries through the first four weeks—up from prior years—and reports of 5-7 additional yards on average due to optimized ball flight. Complementing this, the permanent adoption of the dynamic kickoff format—first trialed in 2024—has indirectly encouraged aggressive field position strategies, potentially increasing long-range field goal opportunities by altering return dynamics. In 2014, the uprights were further extended to 35 feet to curb end-zone celebrations involving the structure, prioritizing safety while maintaining visibility.

Records

Longest Successful Field Goals

In the (NFL), the record for the longest successful field goal stands at 68 yards, achieved by kicker Cam Little on November 2, 2025, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders. This surpassed the previous mark of 66 yards set by kicker in 2021 against the . Little's kick, made as time expired in the second quarter, cleared the crossbar with significant distance and marked a notable advancement in professional kicking capabilities. In the Canadian Football League (CFL), the record is 63 yards, first set by kicker Paul McCallum on October 27, 2001, against the Edmonton Eskimos at Taylor Field. This distance was tied by kicker on August 9, 2025, against the at , providing a late lead in a closely contested game. The wider field dimensions in the CFL, measuring 110 yards long and 65 yards wide, contribute to the challenges and occasional wind-aided successes in long attempts compared to the . At the collegiate level in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the longest verified field goal is 69 yards, kicked by Ove Johansson for Abilene Christian University against East Texas State on October 16, 1976. Johansson, a 28-year-old Swedish soccer player transitioning to American football, benefited from ideal conditions in this NAIA game, which predates stricter measurement standards but remains recognized. A notable near-record is 67 yards by Steve Little for the University of Arkansas against the University of Texas in 1977, tying for the second-longest in major college history and highlighting the era's emphasis on powerful kicking amid evolving equipment. Recent NCAA seasons have seen increased attempts beyond 60 yards, with the 2025 season's longest at 63 yards by Iowa State's Kyle Konrardy, reflecting improved training and ball specifications. In , governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the longest recorded field goal is 68 yards by Dirk Borgognone of () against Sparks High School on September 27, 1985. This kick, made under high school rules with shorter uprights and variable field conditions, ended Borgognone's season due to injury but established a benchmark for amateur levels. Other verified long kicks include 67 yards by Russ Cowsert of W.T. White High School () in 1978, underscoring the physical demands on younger athletes. In U Sports, Canada's governing body for university athletics, the longest field goal is 59 yards by kicker Niko DiFonte on November 11, 2017, securing a playoff victory over the . This record, made on a 110-yard field similar to the CFL, was a walk-off kick that ended UBC's season. A recent highlight is 57 yards by Evan Astolfo of the Waterloo Warriors on August 30, 2025, tying the game against the Toronto Varsity Blues and setting a new (OUA) mark as the second-longest in U Sports history. An unofficial 78-yard attempt has been mentioned in historical accounts but lacks verification from official U Sports records. In professional spring leagues like the United Football League (UFL), the longest successful field goal is 64 yards by kicker Jake Bates on March 30, 2024, against the , clinching a game-winning victory. Bates repeated a similar 64-yard make later in the season, drawing interest and emphasizing the league's role in showcasing emerging talent on standard 100-yard fields. Across independent and women's professional leagues, such as the former Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), successful field goals tend to be shorter due to variations in field dimensions, equipment, and competitive levels, with reported highs around 55 yards influenced by smaller rosters and training resources. These leagues often play on 100-yard fields but face unique logistical challenges, limiting verified long-distance records compared to major circuits. General trends show a rise in long field goals, particularly in the , driven by the 2025 K-ball rule changes, which provide teams with 60 dedicated kicking balls per season for better break-in and consistency, reportedly adding 5-7 yards to average kick distance. In 2024, the recorded 26 makes from 55+ yards through the first seven weeks—a prior high—that number has increased in 2025, with kickers citing enhanced ball quality and coaching as key factors in pushing boundaries beyond 60 yards more frequently.
LeagueDistance (yards)KickerTeamYearContext
NFL68Cam Little2025vs.
CFL63Paul McCallum / / 2001 / 2025vs. Edmonton Eskimos / vs.
NCAA69Abilene Christian1976vs. State
High School (NFHS)681985vs. Sparks High School
U Sports59Niko DiFonte2017vs. (playoff)
UFL64Jake Bates2024vs. (game-winner)

Longest Missed Field Goal Returns

In American and , a missed or blocked field goal attempt becomes a live that the receiving team can return for significant yardage, potentially scoring a if the advances it into the end zone. These plays are rare due to the defensive coverage typically set up to prevent returns, but they can occur when the bounces unpredictably or the finds a seam in the coverage. The mechanics require the to remain live after the miss or block, allowing the to field it anywhere on the field and run it back, often aided by blockers creating lanes against pursuing defenders. In the National Football League (NFL), the record for the longest missed field goal return is 109 yards for a touchdown, a mark first set by San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie on November 4, 2007, against the Minnesota Vikings, where he fielded a missed 57-yard attempt by Ryan Longwell in the end zone and returned it untouched. This record was tied by Jacksonville Jaguars return specialist Jamal Agnew on September 26, 2021, against the Arizona Cardinals, as he fielded a missed 68-yard field goal attempt by Matt Prater in the end zone and sprinted 109 yards for a score, equaling the longest play from scrimmage in NFL history. Another notable near-record return occurred on November 13, 2005, when Chicago Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher took a missed 52-yard field goal by San Francisco's Joe Nedney 108 yards for a touchdown, highlighting the defensive challenges in containing a speedy returner with open-field blocking. The Canadian Football League (CFL) features longer fields at 110 yards, enabling even more extended returns compared to the NFL's 100-yard dimensions. The league record stands at 131 yards for a touchdown, achieved on August 22, 1958, by players Boyd Carter and Dave Mann against the Montreal Alouettes; Carter advanced the missed field goal 15 yards before lateraling to Mann, who ran the remaining 116 yards. This play remains the longest in CFL history, underscoring the advantages of the wider field and three-down format that can lead to more open returns. More recent examples include ' Tristan Jackson returning a missed field goal 129 yards for a touchdown on July 15, 2012, against the , demonstrating ongoing potential for game-altering plays despite improved coverage techniques. In 2025, notable examples included a 128-yard return for a touchdown by ' Trey Vaval against the in September, a 120-yard return by ' Derek Slywka on June 29, and a 117-yard return by ' Kalil Pimpleton against the on August 14. In , returns exceeding 100 yards have occurred, with Chris Davis setting a memorable mark by returning a missed 57-yard field goal attempt by Alabama's Adam Griffith 109 yards for a on the final play of the 2013 , securing a 34-31 victory in a play known as the "." Such returns are infrequent at the level due to varying talent and the emphasis on special teams coverage, but they often result in when the returner exploits disorganized pursuit after a miss. In U Sports, Canada's university football league, which uses 110-yard fields similar to the CFL, long returns of over 100 yards are feasible and have been recorded in games, though specific records mirror the professional level's potential for extended plays owing to the field's dimensions.

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